October 25, 2023 — The PEF Leadership Institute and the Emerging Leaders Social Committee held a workshop during PEF Convention to introduce members to their work. The Institute is a PEF initiative that operates with support from AFT and seeks to build leadership within the union. The Institute’s mission is to build upon the skills...
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November 21, 2023 — Do you ever wonder why there are so many ads, mailings, and solicitations for Medicare Advantage Plans? The for-profit private insurance industry spends a lot of money on promoting private for-profit Medicare plans. My recommendation to retirees is to join traditional Medicare and keep your employer-sponsored NYSHIP Supplemental plan which covers...
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October 25, 2023 — Over the past few years, between a pandemic and inflation, the number of people in need across the country — and New York State — continues to grow. The rising costs of food, clothes, gas, and housing take a toll. There is an easy way for PEF members to volunteer and...
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Artificial intelligence in the workforce PEF testified on Oct. 19 before the Assembly Standing Committees on Labor and Science and Technology on the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce. News10 (ABC affiliate in Albany) and New York State of Politics (Spectrum News) both talked to Division 357 (OITS) Council Leader Christopher Ford and PEF...
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October 12, 2023 — Vice President Randi DiAntonio testified before the Senate’s Civil Service and Pension Committee on October 11, urging the state to reform pension plans; fix compensation and the lag payroll system; and combat bullying in the workplace to attract much-needed talent. “Since 2021, the state has lost 16,858 employees due to attrition,”...
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September 27, 2023 — Toxic workplaces and bullying by New York State agency managers took center stage at the quarterly PEF Executive Board meeting, held September 21 and 22 in Albany. Board members marched on their lunch break during the first day of the board meeting from the Albany Hilton to the Empire...
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Emerging leaders’ initiative long overdue To the Editor: It seems that it took a while – over a decade, at least – but the idea for an “Emerging Leaders Institute” originated with me via a Convention resolution at least that many years ago. I don’t recall if it passed or not (most of mine didn’t,...
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September 27, 2023 Jose Medina, a retired PEF member who worked as a wage investigator with the Department of Labor, and Scarlett Ahmed, a council leader and member of the executive board, contributed to the New York Focus story, “Hands-Off Labor Department Retreats From Wage Theft Enforcement.” The story calls out Commissioner Roberta Reardon, stating...
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September 27, 2023 — National Roundabouts Week is celebrated across the United States every September. This year, Roundabouts Week was Sept. 18-23, and New York’s Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) did its part to promote awareness and educate New Yorkers about roundabout safety. According to the NYS DOT Facebook page, there are 32 potential “conflict...
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September 22, 2023 — During lunch on September 21, the PEF Executive Board, joined by rank-and-file members, marched from the Albany Hilton to Empire State Plaza, loudly and proudly calling for respect in the workplace and denouncing toxic environments. Members held signs emblazoned with “WORKPLACE RESPECT, NOT BULLYING” and “END BULLYING, EMBRACE RESPECT, CHANGE...
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